Role of Ontology in Data-Driven PSS Engineering and Design and Lifecycle Management

Data driven approaches in design and engineering of Product Service Systems (PSS) require management of diverse types of data and data sources. Therefore, there is a need for a structural approach in data management. A PSS semantic framework in the form of ontology representing generic PSS entities and their relations brings not only benefits to PSS engineering and design phases, but also enhancements of the whole PSS lifecycle management. This chapter describes the approaches to use ontologies for data-driven PSS engineering and design and lifecycle management. New initiatives such as Industry Ontology Foundry (IOF), OntoCommons etc., where ontologies for PSS are developed, are described. The potentials for using the ontologies in data driven PSS engineering are examined at two case studies, one in design and building services in the machine industry and one in service configuration and operation in the logistics domain. Both cases address the application of ontologies for PSS lifecycle management as well.